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Mary, Mary (song)

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Wikipedia article




"'Mary, Mary'" is a song written by Michael Nesmith and first recorded by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band for their 1966 album, 'East-West'. Nesmith's band, the Monkees, later recorded it for 'More of the Monkees' (1967). Hip hop group, RunD.M.C., revived the song in the late 1980s, with an adaptation that appeared in the U.S. record charts.

The Butterfield Blues Band



In 1966, Elektra Records, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's record company, was entering the singles market with new rock acts Love and the Doors. Hoping that Butterfield would produce a hit, Elektra arranged an extended stay and recording sessions for the group in Los Angeles during the summer of 1966.

It was there that producer Barry Friedman suggested that they try a song written by guitarist Michael Nesmith of the Monkees, a group that he had been working with.

Butterfield guitarist Mike Bloomfield recalled:

According to Bloomfield biographer David Dann, "the song was given a muscular arrangement that included backup vocals, overdubbing, fuzz-tone effects, and dramatic stops". It also included brief solos by Butterfield on harmonica and Bloomfield, but "was clearly intended for Top 40 airplay". However, Elektra did not release it as a single.

"Mary Mary" was released on the influential Butterfield album, 'East-West' in August 1966. Reviewers made favorable comments, with AllMusic's Mark Deming calling the song "buzzy and mildly trippy"

and 'The Mojo Collection' guide describing it as one of the album's "top drawer" performances.

The album included the group's adaptations of several older blues songs, which did not list the songwriters, and "Mary, Mary" also lacked a composer credit. After the Monkees' version was released, Butterfield fans complained to Elektra that Nesmith was taking the writer's credit for the song; Elektra president Jac Holzman assured them that Nesmith did indeed write it.



The Monkees



On July 25, 1966, Nesmith produced and recorded the song for the Monkees at Western Recorders in Hollywood, California. Micky Dolenz sang lead, and Nesmith used the crack group of session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew to beef up their sound, including; James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon, Michael Deasy and Larry Knechtel. Their version was released on the album 'More of the Monkees' in 1967.

The Monkees' "Mary Mary" was not released as a single in the USA in the 1960s,[http://www.45cat.com/label/colgems Colgems - Label Discography] at 45cat.com, retrieved April 29, 2018[http://www.globaldogproductions.info/c/colgems.html Discography for Colgems Records] at Global Dog Productions, retrieved April 29, 2018 although it was given away as a cut-out cereal box prize in 1969.[http://www.45cat.com/record/nc701393us Record details]: "Cut-out record from the back of a cereal box" at 45cat.com, retrieved April 29, 2018 Singles were released in several other countries[http://www.45cat.com/45_search.php?sq=the+monkees+mary+mary&sm=se "Mary Mary" discographical search results] at 45cat.com, retrieved April 29, 2018 including Australia where the local RCA release was a number five hit in 1968.

Personnel

Sourced from AFM contract.

*Lead vocal by Micky Dolenz

*Guitar: Peter Tork, James Burton, Glen Campbell, Al Casey, Michael Deasy, and Don Peake

*Piano: Michael Cohen

*Bass: Larry Knechtel and Bob West

*Drums: Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon

*Percussion: Cary Coleman

Appearances on 'The Monkees'

"Mary, Mary" appeared in five episodes of the 196667 first season of the television series 'The Monkees':

*"I've Got a Little Song Here"

*"Find The Monkees"

*"The Prince & the Paupers"

*"Alias Micky Dolenz"

*"Monkees on Tour"

Run-D.M.C. version



Run-D.M.C. covered "Mary, Mary" in a rap rock version. It was released as a single from their fourth album, 'Tougher Than Leather', in 1988. It was released by Profile Records and produced by the group along with Rick Rubin. It was their most successful single from the album, being the only one to make it to the 'Billboard' Hot 100, peaking at number 75, and peaking at number 29 on the Hot Black Singles chart.

Run-D.M.C. changed the line "Mary, Mary, where ya' goin' to" to "Mary, Mary, why ya' buggin'". Although Run-D.M.C. replaced Michael Nesmith's original lyrics with a new set of lyrics of their own, Nesmith was the only writer credited on Run-D.M.C.'s single. Run-D.M.C.'s version samples Micky Dolenz singing the title from the Monkees' recording.

Track listing

;A-side

#"Mary, Mary" 3:12

;B-side

#"Mary, Mary" (Instrumental) 3:12

#"Rock Box" 5:28

Chart history



References



Category:1966 songs

Category:1988 singles

Category:The Monkees songs

Category:Run-DMC songs

Category:Songs written by Michael Nesmith

Category:Song recordings produced by Tommy Boyce

Category:Song recordings produced by Bobby Hart

Category:Song recordings produced by Rick Rubin

Category:Music videos directed by Mary Lambert

Category:Profile Records singles

Category:RCA Records singles

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